Interview #1: In conversation with Rachel Amphlett

rachel

 

I am completely ecstatic! Today I am posting my first ever author interview on this blog. And what better way to start this series than with an interview with the author who, within less than a year, took up a spot in the list of my favourite authors. She has made such an impact on me that I read 5 of her novels this year! This is the first time I read this many books by a single author in a single year. It’s none other than internationally bestselling crime thriller author, Rachel Amphlett.

 

Before we dive into the interview, let me tell you more about the author herself:

Rachel Amphlett is the bestselling author of the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the new Detective Kay Hunter series, as well as a number of standalone crime thrillers.

Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel’s novels appeal to a worldwide audience, and have been compared to Robert Ludlum, Lee Child and Michael Crichton.

She is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold, being sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in 2014, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag in 2017.

 

Her latest novel, Hell to Pay, is the new addition to the ongoing Detective Kay Hunter series and is out today, November 16. (Click here for my review) Here’s the book blurb of Hell to Pay:

When a road traffic accident on a dark autumn night uncovers a disturbing conspiracy, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter’s investigation exposes a ruthless serial killer exploiting vulnerable young women.

With her enemies unmasked and her career spiralling out of control, Kay’s determination to seek vengeance for the victims brings her dangerously close to those who want to silence her.

Undeterred, she uncovers the real reason behind a plot to destroy her career and sets in motion a terrifying chain of events.

Could Kay’s need for revenge be her undoing, or will she survive to see justice served?

 

You can also find Rachel on her social media:

www.rachelamphlett.com

Email: info@rachelamphlett.com

Twitter: @RachelAmphlett

Instagram: @RachelAmphlett

Facebook: Rachel Amphlett

Author’s Shop: Buy directly from Author

 

Now, onto the interview!

 

Rubina Reads: Let’s start at the very beginning: What inspired you to write Kay Hunter 4 – Hell to Pay?

Rachel Amphlett: The storyline behind Hell to Pay was actually going to be the first book in the Kay Hunter series, but as the planning evolved and I got used to this new character of mine last year, other ideas for investigations kept popping into my head. I very much wanted to pursue the storylines behind Scared to Death, Will to Live, and One to Watch first.

In the end, I decided it’d add a nice twist to proceedings if a sub-plot developed under the first three books, which then culminated in a reveal in a book of its own later on in the series.

I’m delighted with the way the series has worked out, because the feedback from readers has been that they’ve loved having that element of additional mystery underneath the police procedural aspects.

I didn’t want to drag it out for too long, though and that’s why everything is revealed in Hell to Pay.

 

RR: How did you come up with our protagonist Detective Kay Hunter?

RA: I took a long hard look at what’s been done before, to make sure Kay was different to every other detective out there. I knew that she’d been through a lot, but I wanted to make sure readers could feel she was someone they’d cheer for.

It’s also why her other half, Adam, is a vet – I very much wanted Kay to have a safe home environment because she deals with so much on a day to day basis in her job.

 

RR: If your Kay Hunter series is ever adapted into a TV series or a movie, which actress do you think can play the role and why?

RA: I think if I said an actress’s name here, a lot of readers would be scratching their head and thinking “Really?” – we all have different ideas about who’s right for a particular role, don’t we?

Given that it’s rare for writers to have any say in what goes on once a book is adapted into a television show or movie, I think I’ll play safe and leave it up to the producers 😉

 

RR: Over at your Amazon author page, you gave us a quick update about your writing day and you said that your characters have surprised you with ideas for Kay Hunter 5, 6 & 7. Is this true? Could you tell us a bit about them?

RA: All I can say at the moment is that where one sub-plot ends, another begins… 😊

 

RR: I’d love to know about your writing process, from conception to publication and beyond. What goes on behind the scenes?

RA: The writing is only about 20% of my business – the other 80% is all the marketing and business aspects, but I’m really lucky because I love doing all of it.

Once I get an idea going around in my head that won’t leave me alone, I’ll jot down some scenes and get a feel for what’s going on and sort out any immediate research questions that spring to mind.

After that, I get my head down and write a very rough draft in about 10-12 weeks maximum – I find writing a story quickly conveys that sense of a fast-paced read much more easily than if I took my time.

 

RR: Since writers are also readers, what are you currently reading? And also, which books do you highly recommend others to read? (Any genre)

RA: I’m currently reading the fourth book in the Aurelio Zen series by Michael Dibdin, entitled Dead Lagoon – I’d read the first five in the series years ago, and fancided a re-visit. I’d forgotten how utterly fabulous Dibdin’s writing is! I’d recommend this series to others, too.

 

RR: Last but not the least: What are you working on next? Kay Hunter 5 or something entirely new?

RA: I’m finishing off a brand new project at present with a view to releasing it before the end of the year, if all goes well. Other than that, yes – Kay Hunter #5 is starting to take shape and I’d like to publish that in early 2018, so you heard it here first!

 

 

Thank you to author Rachel Amphlett for accepting my invitation and replying to all emails with such warmth and love. It is an absolute pleasure to have you here as my first author interview.

Here’s to many more emails, reviews and interviews together! 😊🥂

 

*If you would like to check out my reviews for all the Rachel Amphlett books I have read so far please click the following links:

White Gold (Dan Taylor #1)

Scared to Death (Detective Kay Hunter #1)

Will to Live (Detective Kay Hunter #2)

One To Watch (Detective Kay Hunter #3)

Hell to Pay (Detective Kay Hunter #4)

Call to Arms (Detective Kay Hunter #5)

The English Spy Mystery – Assassins Hunted, Assassins Vengeance, Assassins Retribution

 

 

2 thoughts on “Interview #1: In conversation with Rachel Amphlett

  1. This is really nice to read. Well done. Do you know what her sales figures are in India, is she well followed.

    I’m reading the first Kay Hunter book and I’m really enjoying it.

  2. Thank you so much, Richard! Sorry but I don’t know what her sales figures are in India, but I can tell you this she is definitely making her presence felt here. 🙂

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